New Tradition Celebrates Sophomores
Members of the Class of 2023—the Class of Pink and Orange—and their guests each were on hand for the outdoor ceremony, which included remarks from Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., headmistress, music, readings, and prayers. After a special blessing, parents and special guests were invited to place the pin on each student’s blazer.
“Just like our colors, pink and orange, we complement each other, yet we can shine on our own when called to do so,” said Cate Bowen ‘23, class president. “And how lucky are we? The Class of 2023 is here today to start a new tradition – Sophomore pinning!"
Special to the ceremony was the presentation of “NDP Tapestry,” a poem commissioned for the school’s 60th anniversary by alumna Mary Beth Wey Quinn ’82. Ms. Quinn served as special guest and read her poem, which celebrated sisterhood and the lifelong connections NDP fosters among its students and graduates.
NDP Tapestry by Mary Beth Wey Quinn '82
The pandemic has brought strange turns for many people, and for Mary Beth Wey Quinn '82, it was finding her poetic voice. A career nurse, Mary Beth started writing poetry last March. As she explained, the pandemic interrupted the expected rhythms of her family of “seniors,” a mother recovering from a previous stroke, a soon-to-be-college grad, and a high school senior. Inspired in part by the spirit of her dear friend Stephanie Ervin Sayewich ‘82, who passed away from cancer in 2018, she wrote poems that she would only share with family and close friends. Soon the circle expanded a bit and a couple friends of friends began reading her poems as well. Then at the request of NDP Headmistress Sister Patricia McCarron, who saw some of her poems, Mary Beth penned "NDP Tapestry” after reflecting on her NDP experiences and their shared relevance with today’s students. “I wanted to explore what shapes a person who comes from a place like NDP,” she said. "NDP Tapestry” is Mary Beth’s first published work, and she hopes to compile more of her poems, which total about 40 at present.
A mission that began on Charles Street is now retained on Hampton Lane
The building is different but the tenets are not as the foundation remains quite the same
The Gateway on campus is a beautiful symbol with a significance that’s crystal clear
Its importance is treasured and celebrated by all during ceremonies held twice every year
May you enter with excitement and leave with a purpose
Leadership learned while within will soon rise to the surface
Its importance is treasured and celebrated by all during ceremonies held twice every year
May you enter with excitement and leave with a purpose
Leadership learned while within will soon rise to the surface
Your course may be different from both your peers and your friends
Yet these upcoming years are among some of the best you will spend
Just as diamonds possess many facets to shine
Your future looks brilliant through a path you define
Yet these upcoming years are among some of the best you will spend
Just as diamonds possess many facets to shine
Your future looks brilliant through a path you define
Your parents and teachers are there by your side
Helping you weave your own tapestry and watching with pride
Precious memories you’ll make at this time in your life will be some that you’ll never forget
Hold them close to your heart and cherish them always for they’re a gift you will never regret
Helping you weave your own tapestry and watching with pride
Precious memories you’ll make at this time in your life will be some that you’ll never forget
Hold them close to your heart and cherish them always for they’re a gift you will never regret
The tradition of Gym Meet is a thread you are given to be woven into teamwork and unity
A competition for sure but equally important is the feeling you achieve of community
Aim to spend your time wisely and practice humility
Share your strengths and your talents to the best of your ability
A competition for sure but equally important is the feeling you achieve of community
Aim to spend your time wisely and practice humility
Share your strengths and your talents to the best of your ability
Consider this a time of spiritual growth with an infinite date of expiration
The lessons you learn will continue to grow and spring forth at your next destination
If you hear those around you accuse you of suffering from something termed “Catholic guilt”
Calmly remind them instead what you feel in your heart is the reason your faith has been built
The lessons you learn will continue to grow and spring forth at your next destination
If you hear those around you accuse you of suffering from something termed “Catholic guilt”
Calmly remind them instead what you feel in your heart is the reason your faith has been built
The spirit of camaraderie you share with each other is depicted through onyx and gold
A unique sense of self unlike any other yet still projected as confident and bold
As months turn to years and years turn to decades the golden years of your tapestry begin
The only difference is now many more threads have been woven through a strength that lies deep from within
A unique sense of self unlike any other yet still projected as confident and bold
As months turn to years and years turn to decades the golden years of your tapestry begin
The only difference is now many more threads have been woven through a strength that lies deep from within
Life’s challenges and struggles may sometimes present a fear of the unknown
Allow your glistening threads to reflect all the comfort and love that you’ve been shown
If one day you should learn that the gateway of gateways finally calls your dear classmate home
Pray to the Lord for her soul and let her tapestry show that she was never ever alone
Allow your glistening threads to reflect all the comfort and love that you’ve been shown
If one day you should learn that the gateway of gateways finally calls your dear classmate home
Pray to the Lord for her soul and let her tapestry show that she was never ever alone
Be it six years or sixty many tapestries produced still carry the same heartfelt sentiment
Love one another, be there for each other, and never harbor any unwarranted resentment
Imagine one day if all the world’s tapestries could be fused together as one
What a beautifully blinding light that would be to show our Creator’s work being done
Love one another, be there for each other, and never harbor any unwarranted resentment
Imagine one day if all the world’s tapestries could be fused together as one
What a beautifully blinding light that would be to show our Creator’s work being done
Notre Dame Preparatory School
An Independent, Catholic Girls School, Grades 6-12, Sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame
